The gates of the cemetery are locked at night and security guards are posted within the grounds after dark. But given the size of the 110-acre site, the council says it is almost impossible to provide complete protection to stop intruders.

The cemetery is in Priory Road, next to Stanley Park, and sits between Anfield and Goodison Park.

A council spokesman said: We will meet with our security team to improve what we can. There is a 24-hour unit that patrols the cemetery.

The yobs also climbed onto the church roof, hurled tiles down to the ground and ripped guttering off the building.

Locals said the cemetery was a regular hang-out for gangs of teenagers who meet after dark.